Harry Potter sat on the step of the once sophisticated staircase of number 12 Grimmauld Place, thinking of the photo album he had found of Sirius’ Hogwarts years; full of photos of the four Marauders, photos of Lily and James and group shots of the boys with a group of girls, presumably Lily’s friends. After having looked at the photos, hearing the exclamation of delight as Sirius and Remus filled the room with stories, was beginning to take its tole.
But after sitting there and listening to the seemingly endless tales of just how special his parents had made Sirius’ and Remus’ lives he felt lost. Unable to stop himself from falling into the depth of despair where the pain and loss of what it could have meant to have them here with him, was overwhelming.
‘Hey, mate,’ Sirius said interrupting Harry’s thoughts as he sat down beside his godson. Both he and Remus had noticed Harry been abnormally quiet over dinner and were getting increasingly worried as they became aware of the Weasley’s and Hermione laughing in the Reading room, without Harry.
‘You ok?’ Harry just nodded, feeling a lump rise up in his throat. ‘It’s ok to miss them.’ Silence fell between them. ‘Harry…’
‘No it’s not! I didn’t even get the chance to know them enough to miss them,’ Harry said loudly, tears welling up in his emerald green eyes.
‘Come with me,’ Sirius said, standing up.
‘Why, to look at more happy family photos?’ Harry asked bitterly but began to stand never the less. They walked up the stairs, heading to Sirius’ bedroom. As Harry followed his godfather into the room he noticed the thin and bony back of Remus Lupin, who was standing over something on a magically conjured table.
‘Is it ready?’ Sirius asked walking over to one of the last Marauders.
‘It just needs your memory,’ at this Harry caught on slightly and moved forward.
‘What memory?’
‘One that will hopefully help you to realise that you have every right to miss your parents and that above anything else, they loved you, more than words can say and we reckon you need to see it for yourself,’ Sirius said a hard look on his face. Harry realised that by going into the past it may be awakening old wounds for both Sirius and Remus.
‘I’ll go first, then you and then Sirius will follow,’ Remus said as he started to lean towards the pensieve. Harry watched him disappear and looked back at his godfather who smiled encouragingly at the nervous look on Harry’s face. Harry moved towards the magical bowl and leant forward his face suddenly engulfed. The now familiar sensation of falling overtook him and before he knew it his feet were firmly on the ground again.
He looked around what appeared to be the kitchen in an average home. He felt a breeze to his right and turned to find Sirius standing by his side, while Remus was on his left.
‘Oi Padfoot grab us some potato chips,’ a voice called from another room. They turned to find a younger version of Sirius Black reaching into a cupboard. The three of them moved out of his way as he past and followed him into the living room. Harry felt his breath hitch in his throat as he saw his younger godfather sit on the couch next to Lily Potter who was heavily pregnant and holding hands with her husband. James was stuffing the chips into his mouth as he and Sirius talked over Lily who was closing her eyes, resting her head against the back of the sofa.
Both men were tall and muscled from their Quidditch days, the muscles flexing in their arms as they ate. James’ glasses framed his deep hazel eyes and his hair its usual mess, making Harry smile at the similarities he had to the man before him. Lily was glowing, her red hair alive against the moon that was shining in through the crake in the curtains.
Harry quickly felt tears running down his cheeks and dripping from the tip of his nose, before Sirius put his arm around him, his own eyes like Remus’ were watery as they watched the scene before them.
Lily Potter winced slightly as her unborn baby kicked at her insides.
‘You ok?’ James said softly the food lying forgotten on the coffee table. Lily nodded, her eyes locked onto her husband’s as James rubbed her stomach gently. The young Sirius hoovered down the biscuits in his hand before he started talking, crumbs flying from his mouth.
‘Black, you’re showering me in your spit,’ Lily said, though she was smiling slightly as her gaze returned to her husband.
‘Sorry, Evans,’ Sirius said swallowing.
‘Towards the end of her pregnancy she got scary and to give Prongs a bit of a break I was on my best behaviour,’ Older Sirius said smirking at a sudden memory.
‘As I was saying before my stomach interrupted,’ young Sirius began loudly. ‘I think Prongs and I should sing to the little mucker, because then when it comes out it’ll know us and love us.’
‘Sirius, this baby will love you anyway, whether I have to listen to you screech or not.’
‘Fiesty,’ Sirius mouthed and James snorted, causing his wife to spin her head towards him.
‘No it’s a good idea, Lils. Then little Harry or Laura will know us.’ Lily sighed and shook her head before resting it against the cushions, closing her eyes.
‘What should we start with?’ Sirius asked rubbing the end of his chin as if he had a beard.
‘The scarecrow one!’
‘Good choice.’
‘On three? One. Two Three.’
‘I’M A,’ both men started singing loudly. ‘dingle dangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat, I can shake my hands like this and shake my feet like that.’
‘Wheels on the bus!’ James yelled and they yet again broke into song.
‘The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. The wheels on the bus go round and round all through the town.’
‘He’ll be coming round the mountain…’
‘It’s she’ll,’ Lily said, her eyes still closed, her hands rested on her stomach which was still being kicked to death by her baby.
‘Well now it’s he’ll,’ Sirius said before both men started singing again.
‘He’ll be coming round the mountain when he comes. He’ll be coming round the mountain when he comes. He’ll be coming round the mountain, he’ll be coming round the mountain, he’ll be coming round the mountain when he comes! He’ll be driving six white horses when he comes…’
But the second verse was cut off as Lily leant forward elbowing Sirius in the eye as she seethed in pain.
‘Ow! You elbowed me dammit. Is it all red?’
‘Black shut up!’
‘Why? You hit me! If you wanted me to be quiet all you had to do was ask.’
‘Shut up, I think I’m in labour.’
‘Labour?’ James and Sirius said at the same time looking nervous.
‘James, get Mary. Now!’ Lily bellowed as another contraction consumed her.
‘What about Alice, she was…’
‘Alice gave birth to Neville early this morning remember Frank sent us word. Now I need Mary.’
‘Who’s Mary? And why aren’t they going to St Mungo’s?’ Harry whispered to Sirius.
‘Lily wanted to keep her baby as safe as possible and that meant trusting no one who they didn’t know well. And Mary MacDonald was a friend of Lily’s,’ Harry nodded as Sirius’ gazed turned back to James, who was pale. James had just sent a protronus to Mary and was now helping Lily to stand. The young Sirius stepped forward offering his arm as they made their way up the stairs.
The three visitors followed up the stairs of the Potter’s Godric’s Hollow home and into the master bedroom. James had sent Sirius to get blankets as he kissed Lily’s forehead gently holding her hand as a contraction past.
‘I was in the bath, what do you mean Lily’s in labour? She’s not due for two weeks.’ Mary said more to herself it appeared than to those in the house. She was of average height with long brown hair that was currently being held back by a towel.
‘Mary…’ Lily said her eyes wide. Mary stepped forward quickly waving her wand, so her hair became dry and tied back in a hair tie. She quickly used her Healer training to check how far along Lily was before smirking as she looked at her best friend.
‘This one’s in a hurry. It should be over quickly. James come here,’ Mary said turning slightly away from Lily who was watching them carefully. ‘The baby has the umbilical cord around its throat, now I’m going to have to charm it a certain way to remove it, but it’ll be painful and it requires absolute relaxation from Lily.’ James nodded, unable to talk.
‘Here’s the blankets and water,’ Sirius said trying to avoid looking at Lily who still had her legs up.
‘Good, Sirius, James has to help me so I need you to jump behind Lily.’
‘What?’ Sirius said eyes wide with fear at the prospect of being in the room any longer than he had to.
‘Sirius,’ Mary growled and Sirius nodded. Lily screamed, panting, reminding everyone that she was still in pain while they were talking.
‘James!’ Lily said her hand out. James went to her quickly grasping her hand and conjuring a damp cloth to wipe her brow.
Harry was watching tears in his eyes at how devoted his father was to his mother and how much Lily needed James. He felt sick at the thought of what it must of being like on the 31st of July, for Lily to know that her husband had just being killed and there wasn’t anything she could do but run.
Remus grabbed his upper arm affectionately, looking over Harry’s distracted head to Sirius who knew Harry was hurting at the scene before them and questioning whether it was a good idea to bring him to the past.
As their attention returned to the younger witches and wizards they noticed Sirius behind Lily holding both her hands and talking kindly to her as Mary and James set to work trying to remove the umbilical cord from around the baby’s neck with as little stress on both mother and baby as possible.
‘Baby’s heart rate’s rising quickly,’ James said as he magically listened to the heartbeat of his child.
‘What?’ Lily said panicked.
‘Hey, it’s ok Lils. Your baby will be fine, they’ve got Marauder blood in it,’ Sirius said softly smiling as Lily sobbed slightly, but nodded trying to accept what Sirius said.
‘Come on Mucker, your scaring mummy. Relax baby,’ James said rubbing his wife’s stomach.
‘Mucker…’ Harry said softly his eyes never leaving his father who was now turned to Lily who had tears in her eyes.
‘Sing to my baby, Sirius,’ Lily said panting. ‘Sing.’
‘Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird won't sing, Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring turns brass, Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass…’
‘Ok, I’ve nearly got it loosened,’ Mary said James still listening to his baby’s heart rate.
‘And if that looking glass gets broke, Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat. And if that billy goat won't pull, Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull.’
‘Push, Lils. It’s time to bring your baby into the world.’ James stayed near Mary rubbing Lily’s belly as she pushed, panting and screaming slightly.
‘And if that cart and bull fall down, You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.’ Sirius sung badly into Lily’s ear, both his hands been gripped by Lily’s.
And then the room was full of the cries of a tiny baby Mary was holding as James cut the umbilical cord. Mary wrapped the baby up and passed the bundle to James. Lily was leant back, relaxing against Sirius who was rubbing her arms gently.
‘Lils,’ James said coming over to his wife, who sat up immediately, accepting her baby. Sirius moved from behind Lily, placing pillows behind her before moving to help Mary, giving the new family a moment.
Lily looked up at her husband who bent down and brushed his lips against hers.
‘It’s a boy, Lils,’
‘A boy. Our little Harry,’ Lily said looking down at the tiny, dark haired baby boy in her arms. She reached out her hand and gently stroked his petite fingers.
‘Hey Mucker,’ James said looking down at her son, running his fingers against his soft cheek. Lily looked at her husband, both of them smiling at each other, before turning her attention back Harry. He opened his beautiful green eyes and Lily felt captivated by him. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, breathing in that fresh baby smell, that’s she was instantly falling in love with.
‘My Harry. Our Harry,’ Lily said staring down at her son as James stroked her hair, kissing the top of her head.
‘Thank you, Lily.’ She looked up at him questioning. ‘For giving me Harry.’
‘Thank you,’ Lily kissed him tenderly. Before they were interrupted by Harry’s squeal for attention.
‘Can I come over now?’ Sirius asked whining like a child.
‘Come on, Godfather,’ James Potter said looking at his best friend.
‘Godfather?’
‘Well Harry will need someone to go to when he can’t stand me and Lily. And you are mine and Lily’s best mate, who else could have this job of raising our son if we couldn’t.’ Sirius had tears in his eyes as he nodded, watching as James scooped up his son and walked over to him.
‘Well with us three around he won’t go wrong will he. Flying a broom by 6 months, pranking by one,’ Sirius said as he felt the weight of the baby being placed into his arms. ‘The first mini Marauder.’
‘Don’t you dare corrupt my son, Black,’ Lily said smiling, though her eyes were firm. ‘Too much.’ Sirius nodded before going over to the red head and leaning down kissing her cheek. Lily took Harry back in her arms and smiled at Mary.
‘Thank you for everything,’
‘Hey I should be thanking you. By the speed Harry was coming into the world I reckon he’ll do amazing things, and I’ll get to say I helped to deliver him.’ Mary said smiling at the family before her. ‘I should go, leave you guys to it. Congratulations.’
‘I’ll walk you out, I’m heading home too,’ Sirius said as he kissed Lily’s cheek and Harry’s forehead before walking around and embracing James. ‘I’ll see you soon, Prongs.’
‘Thanks for holding Lily’s hand, Padfoot.’
‘Anytime,’ Sirius said before both he and Mary left the room. James sat back down beside his wife and put his arm around her shoulders.
‘I love you, Lily.’
‘I love you too. I’m so glad you’re mine,’ Lily smiled down at baby Harry before letting James take him, summoning clothes and a nappy before lowering him into his cradle.
‘Glad you’re finally here. I love you, Mucker,’ James said as he slowly pulled up a white blanket to cover Harry’s small torso and long legs and arms. He stretched slightly glancing over to where the three visitors stood, looking at the space carefully, rubbing his chest, just above where his heart was, before turning and walking to his wife.
‘Time to go,’ Remus said putting his arm on Harry’s. He noticed the tears streaming down Harry’s face just like they were on Sirius’ and in the process of trickling down from Remus’ eyes. Sirius turned away from the Potter family as did Remus, both men having to turn Harry away, gripping his arms as they disappeared from the past.
They returned to Sirius’ old bedroom and Harry made to leave the room. Sirius saw him as he shook back his hair and stepped forward and grabbing Harry who turned to him, collapsing against him. Sirius put his arm around him as the usually strong fifteen year old broke down.
‘Now I miss them,’ Harry whispered, pulling away slightly.
‘They loved you so much though, Harry, that’s the point.’ Harry smiled and nodded before walking from the room, heading down the stairs and outside, standing on the moist grass.
Above Sirius and Remus watched from the window, as Harry looked up at the dark sky.
‘I know that what you did was because you loved me and because you wanted me to live but I think it sucks that you left. Why did you leave me here to fight on my own? I only just got Sirius and Remus but it’s not the same. I don’t have you. I don’t have a mum to hold me when I’ve had enough; I wanted you there after watching Cedric die and fighting Voldemort in the graveyard. I don’t have a dad to make me laugh and teach me the stuff fathers are meant to. Why couldn’t you stay? Why did you leave me? You should have fought harder or at least taken me with you!’ Harry bellowed at the sky above.
‘I know Harry I’m so sorry but I couldn’t stand there and let you die. I couldn’t…’ Lily said loudly watching from above.
‘I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so grateful for what you did but it hurts. I’m sorry that you died because of me, I’m sorry that you didn’t get to live because someone threatened to kill me. Mum, Dad I’m scared of losing Sirius. He’s the only family I know and I can’t lose him, how am I meant to do this without him. I’m not scared of dying because then I get to know you but I don’t want people to die for me like you did. I don’t want to lose the Weasley’s or Remus. They’re my family now and I can’t be here on my own. I don’t want to be alone.
‘I can’t believe you died for me. I’m so sorry that I made you die. If I hadn’t been so eager to come out and waited until August then you guys wouldn’t have died. I’m so sorry…’ Harry said softly.
‘Harry James Potter! No don’t you dare. You are not to blame, you…!’ Lily bellowed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
‘Lils, Lily stop he can’t here you.’
‘James…’ Lily said looking desperately at her husband. ‘He thinks it was his fault…he can’t…wasn’t to blame…’
‘Harry will know one day that a mother’s love is the most fierce thing in the world and a parents love is beyond the normal powers of the human race, it is the only strength that has the ability to bring down that bastard. Lily you saved our boy, and he will realize one day.’
‘Maybe…But until that day comes he has nothing but quilt on his shoulders…he can’t feel this…he shouldn’t have to feel anymore pain than he has to…my Harry…’ Lily wept, holding onto her husband who stroked her hair, trying to comfort her.
‘Padfoot, tell Harry it’s not his fault. Please talk to my son.’ Sirius Black had been resting his eyes, leaning against his headboard, a photo of Lily and James in his hands. He opened his eyes feeling as though he had just woken from a dream. He walked down the stairs feeling a need to check on the boy who had left his company just over ten minutes ago. He found Harry yelling at the empty yard and approached slowly. He placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke knowing the boy could hear him.
‘They loved you, you saw that. And it was that love that made them sacrifice their lives for you. The same way you’re willing to die for those you love. The same way I would die to protect you. It’s what you do when you love someone unconditionally. It is not your fault that they died its Voldemort’s; his responsibility and his alone. Don’t forget that they love you and it hurts them to see you blaming yourself. Harry you do anything to protect the ones you love,’ Sirius said his voice thick with emotion as he pulled Harry into a tight embrace before walking back inside his childhood home.
‘Thank you for loving me,’ Harry said softly looking up at the dark sky two stars seeming to shine brighter than any of the others that lit the world by night time. Harry started to smile as the nursery rhymes of his godfather’s memory played around in his head. As he turned towards the backdoor he started humming ‘he’ll be coming round the mountain.’ He hummed loudly as he stepped up the back step, opening the back door, turning around and looking at the two stars before stepping inside the house as James Potter sung softly finishing his son’s song;
‘When he comes.’
*
‘I love you,’ Harry whispered before closing his eyes as he lay down in his temporary bed. And somewhere above a beautiful red head smiled, tears in her eyes, brushing her fingers against her boy’s cheek, without being able to touch it but remembering the soft texture of his skin. James looked at the boy who so resembled him and spoke;
‘You will know us better one day, but we’re always there and we love you.’ Harry’s eyelids fluttered open and he looked around, curiously before leaning back into the pillows, grabbing the photo of his parents, his father spinning his mother around happily, he lay there clutching the family that could of being and in the process finding a overtaking desire to end Tom Riddle for ending the lives of two people Harry wanted to get to know more than anything. The two people who with or without their physical presence, had changed his life in more ways than anyone had before.
*
The year ended, travelling into a new one and then it was June and Harry’s fear of being left alone became more than a fear but a reality. He had watched Sirius Black fall in a graceful arc into the ragged veil. Pain had ripped through him and it was that that caused him to now be lying on the floor of the atrium. His body and mind were being controlled by Lord Voldemort and as memories of his life flicked across his mind two familiar voices consumed his thoughts.
The two reunited Marauders sang to Harry to keep him strong just as they had the day he had entered the world and changed their lives, finishing the song they had began nearly sixteen years ago.
‘He’ll be driving six white horses when he comes. He'll be driving six white horses when he comes. He'll be driving six white horses, he'll be driving six white horses, he'll be driving six white horses when he comes…’ And as Harry opened his eyes muttering the words that were still ringing in his head, as he pushed himself from the cool floor;
‘Hee Haw.’
A/N: Please leave a review but don't be to cruel. It's just meant to be an amusing, cute story. Thanks for reading :)
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